SD Sheriff Hiring Practices

[SDLEO2B]

I was able to apply for both positions (LE and Detentions/CS) and have from what I have been told is a very good T-Score on the written (68.90). I just received the email letter stating I am eligible for the Deputy Sheriff Detentions/Court Services position with the orientation meeting invite. Do they EVER offer the Deputy Sheriff Law Enforcement position to a new applicant? Just wondering if I'll see a similar letter for the LE position or do they just dangle that carrot on the application process to give people some false hope and meet some silly HR regulations?

[RNM]

I don't know. In Alameda County you are required to work 18 months in the detention division before you can do anything else.

[avalon42]

I was able to apply for both positions (LE and Detentions/CS) and have from what I have been told is a very good T-Score on the written (68.90). I just received the email letter stating I am eligible for the Deputy Sheriff Detentions/Court Services position with the orientation meeting invite. Do they EVER offer the Deputy Sheriff Law Enforcement position to a new applicant? Just wondering if I'll see a similar letter for the LE position or do they just dangle that carrot on the application process to give people some false hope and meet some silly HR regulations?

Did you apply for both? When I went to take the written, I had to fill-out an application and check in the boxes on what positions I wanted to apply for.

Also, consider that the positions for LE may be closed and they might be hiring for Detentions/Courts only.

[SDLEO2B]

I don't know. In Alameda County you are required to work 18 months in the detention division before you can do anything else.

Thanks. Useful if I was applying in Alameda County.

[SDLEO2B]

Did you apply for both? When I went to take the written, I had to fill-out an application and check in the boxes on what positions I wanted to apply for.

Also, consider that the positions for LE may be closed and they might be hiring for Detentions/Courts only.

Yes. I have active applications for both LE and D/CS. The window for LE closed and only about 10% of the folks attending the test seemed to have completed both.

[avalon42]

Yes. I have active applications for both LE and D/CS. The window for LE closed and only about 10% of the folks attending the test seemed to have completed both.

Another thing to consider is that the score cut-off for LE may be raised because of the increased competition for jobs. I am not sure if SDSO does it, but I know OCSD does.

[McGruff]

The only thing you may want to consider is if you go through the Detentions/Courts academy (16 wks), will you have to go through Law Enforcement academy (26 wks)? You most likely will have to unless their Detentions academy is like OCSD's SSO academy where they have a Level-II certification upon graduating. Then they could get your Level-I cert elsewhere and apply for a FT LEO job.

IMO...if a cop is what you want to be, don't diddle daddle being a custody assistant and apply elsewhere. But if you're facing hard times and need the money/experience, then go for the position.

[willowdared]

Yes, there have been applicants hired directly to patrol, but the policy was for deputies to work in the jails first.

[Mabbottusmc]

I was hired as LE. You don't have to work the jails. We have had people come from the academy straight to patrol. Theses are new hires. Most likely you will go to the courts or jail for 6 months to a year. It is very possible to be hired as an LE. Half of my SDSD class were prior detentions and the rest were new. As an LE dep you don't have to attend the detentions academy to work the jails. As a detentions deputy you can only work the jails, courthouse or transportation.

[Copp'rPenny]

I had the same T-score for them, and received the same offer. At first, I only indicated I wanted LE, but my BI suggested it would make me seem more flexible if I was also willing to do detentions. I'm actually sorry I did. I was offered the detentions position, which I turned down.

I think it has more to do with their hiring situation. When I got my offer, there were VERY FEW LE spots.

[avalon42]

When I applied to SDSO, I only applied for LE and was adamant about it. I got DQ'd a month later, but it was right at the onset of the hiring freeze they had last year. Just bad timing...

[Copp'rPenny]

Yeah, it probably wouldn't have changed anything had I selected LE only. In my wildest dreams, I couldn't foresee them asking a 42-year-old who has a college degree, perfect background and perfect credit and who has owned homes to go to detentions only.

My impression was that detentions was more for the kid who still lives with mom, has only some or no college with little established credit (i.e. little life experience). Which goes back to the OP. Does that sound like you?

[SDLEO2B]

Yeah, it probably wouldn't have changed anything had I selected LE only. In my wildest dreams, I couldn't foresee them asking a 42-year-old who has a college degree, perfect background and perfect credit and who has owned homes to go to detentions only.

My impression was that detentions was more for the kid who still lives with mom, has only some or no college with little established credit (i.e. little life experience). Which goes back to the OP. Does that sound like you?

I'm closer to you. 36 years old, 4 of my own kids who live at home :), a former Marine, some college, 12 years in the technology industry at the Sr. Manager level.

[Copp'rPenny]

Yep. It doesn't make sense. :-(

Have you had your background done? They offered me detentions after the background, CVSA and Lt. interview. I was very disappointed.

What are you going to do?

[Mabbottusmc]

Yeah, it probably wouldn't have changed anything had I selected LE only. In my wildest dreams, I couldn't foresee them asking a 42-year-old who has a college degree, perfect background and perfect credit and who has owned homes to go to detentions only.

My impression was that detentions was more for the kid who still lives with mom, has only some or no college with little established credit (i.e. little life experience). Which goes back to the OP. Does that sound like you?

They actually have a lot of older people go to detentions. They do a lot of PT in the academy but they don't have to meet the same standards. They can fall out of a run and fall back a mile but as long as they actually complete the run they pass. LE they have to stay with the pack or within sight. I think it's more laid back. Your not out running after 19 year old crack heads.

[2wheeldep]

Yeah, it probably wouldn't have changed anything had I selected LE only. In my wildest dreams, I couldn't foresee them asking a 42-year-old who has a college degree, perfect background and perfect credit and who has owned homes to go to detentions only.

My impression was that detentions was more for the kid who still lives with mom, has only some or no college with little established credit (i.e. little life experience). Which goes back to the OP. Does that sound like you?


Everything you referenced is great, your college degree, perfect background (as you say) perfect credit, owns a home....is all good stuff, but in LE it does not mean a thing once you are hired as a LEO.

There are pros and cons to hiring a young adult Vs. an older(or experienced) adult.

Once you go into the LE world you'll have to suck up your attitude towards the "young Vs old" mentality. At your age you are going to have a FTO who will be 1/2 your age telling you what you to do. And should you choose not to suck it up, you'll be rolled up and standing in the unemployment line.

No offense....But that's the it is

[Copp'rPenny]

No offense taken! I have TONS to learn, and I can't wait. I don't really have a "young vs. old" mentality. I got the impression that those sent to detentions had some maturing to do by reading posts at O.com. Turns out, reality didn't match up, as evidenced in this thread.

And the comment about older people and PT doesn't apply. I bust my butt to beat out women half my age. And I do it. Bring on the 19-year-old crack heads! :D

Finally, my background is clean. I've literally bored my polygraphers. I'd like to think decades of a life lived with integrity should count for something.

[avalon42]

No offense taken! I have TONS to learn, and I can't wait. I don't really have a "young vs. old" mentality. I got the impression that those sent to detentions had some maturing to do by reading posts at O.com. Turns out, reality didn't match up, as evidenced in this thread.

And the comment about older people and PT doesn't apply. I bust my butt to beat out women half my age. And I do it. Bring on the 19-year-old crack heads! :D

Finally, my background is clean. I've literally bored my polygraphers. I'd like to think decades of a life lived with integrity should count for something.

Fraid not. You still put your pants on like the rest of us...one leg at a time. :p

[SST760]

I just took the SDSO test today I applied for LE only. They didnt really mention anything about the dentions/LE. But last year I knew two friends who got hired patrol LE striaght from the academy. One was a proir detentions/courts deputy and the other was from my current work budweiser. What I hear now is they are goiong back to their old ways on not letting new hires straight to patrol, they gotta do their time in the jails, but still will get hired as LE and paid Le pay but work jails first. But this might be wrong too.

[2wheeldep]

Almost every day I'm surprised to hear what "behind the scene" changes have happened with in my department. I just found out that we have waved our 1 year in custody/courts policy and some new deps have gone straight to patrol...

I'm not sure what comment I made about PT????

All the PT in the academy is a learning discipline thing, not so much a fitness test.

[Copp'rPenny]

They actually have a lot of older people go to detentions. They do a lot of PT in the academy but they don't have to meet the same standards. They can fall out of a run and fall back a mile but as long as they actually complete the run they pass. LE they have to stay with the pack or within sight. I think it's more laid back. Your not out running after 19 year old crack heads.

THIS is the comment about the PT. I wasn't directing my comment to you, 2wheeldep.

Seriously guys, people in their 40s aren't ready yet to be put out to pasture. :D

[ten-ninetyseven]

THIS is the comment about the PT. I wasn't directing my comment to you, 2wheeldep.

Seriously guys, people in their 40s aren't ready yet to be put out to pasture. :D

+ 1000 on this one ;)

[avalon42]

THIS is the comment about the PT. I wasn't directing my comment to you, 2wheeldep.

Seriously guys, people in their 40s aren't ready yet to be put out to pasture. :D

To quote my favorite line, "It's not the years...it's the mileage." -Indiana Jones, Raiders of the Lost Ark. ;)

[Copp'rPenny]

LASD had a new class start at STARS on Monday. On Tuesday, they did their PT 500 test (not sure what it entails). Only one woman -- and this is LASD, so you know the class has a lot of women -- was made a road guard.

She is 44. :)

[2wheeldep]

Ok guys, as far as age and PT goes there is no problems. I have no problems with the age of anyone, over 21 years old, becoming an officer. I was in my 30's when I went thru the academy. The officer who sat next to me was 42, a retired Marine Sgt. We had no problems with the PT...

But, what I'm trying to point out is police work is not about the PT. There are planty of people older then I am and can out do me to no end in PT.

It was difficult for me in my 30's to be retrained, I was an auto mechanic. As a cop you'll see thing, that were always in front of you as a civilian, but never noticed.

I wish the best of luck to all of you guys trying to become a leo. It's a difficult task just being hired then the academy, then the field training...which is just the begining. There is so much in service training and the paperwork...the paperwork which never ends.

[avalon42]

Ok guys, as far as age and PT goes there is no problems. I have no problems with the age of anyone, over 21 years old, becoming an officer. I was in my 30's when I went thru the academy. The officer who sat next to me was 42, a retired Marine Sgt. We had no problems with the PT...

But, what I'm trying to point out is police work is not about the PT. There are planty of people older then I am and can out do me to no end in PT.

It was difficult for me in my 30's to be retrained, I was an auto mechanic. As a cop you'll see thing, that were always in front of you as a civilian, but never noticed.

I wish the best of luck to all of you guys trying to become a leo. It's a difficult task just being hired then the academy, then the field training...which is just the begining. There is so much in service training and the paperwork...the paperwork which never ends.

My academy made us write paper in class, ARJIS forms, 153s, etc...I can only imagine how much worse it is once we're hired. I can't believe how butchered and different between agencies the ARJIS forms have gotten! :eek:

[SDLEO2B]

Well, I received a second letter a couple of days after the first stating that I was also eligible for the "Deputy Sheriff's Cadet" position. So I think that was some good news. I have the orientation on the 25th of this month for the Detentions/Court Services but the second letter didn't mention anything about an orientation for it. It just says that I'll be contacted by HR if I am "among the candidates that most closely meet the job requirements".

Can anyone elaborate on the process at this stage?

[Copp'rPenny]

They typically send you to orientation in the order of highest T-score first. I'm sure you'll be called soon. Good news!

[AndySD]

Well, I received a second letter a couple of days after the first stating that I was also eligible for the "Deputy Sheriff's Cadet" position. So I think that was some good news. I have the orientation on the 25th of this month for the Detentions/Court Services but the second letter didn't mention anything about an orientation for it. It just says that I'll be contacted by HR if I am "among the candidates that most closely meet the job requirements".

Can anyone elaborate on the process at this stage?

Basically you attend an orientation and fill out a pre history questionnaire. Then a background investigator pre screens you and your paperwork that you filled out and if they approve, they pass you onto another BI based on your last name. Fill out your PHS and turn it in by a certain date and meet with your official BI after you turn in your PHS paperwork. This is where I am at now.

I don't mean to put a damper on things but they have really slowed down on people they are hiring - both LE and Detentions/courts. I was told that the August academy was cancelled and the January academy might share the same fate. Regardless, my fingers are crossed and I remain optimistic.

Best of luck to you.

[SDLEO2B]

Basically you attend an orientation and fill out a pre history questionnaire. Then a background investigator pre screens you and your paperwork that you filled out and if they approve, they pass you onto another BI based on your last name. Fill out your PHS and turn it in by a certain date and meet with your official BI after you turn in your PHS paperwork. This is where I am at now.

I don't mean to put a damper on things but they have really slowed down on people they are hiring - both LE and Detentions/courts. I was told that the August academy was cancelled and the January academy might share the same fate. Regardless, my fingers are crossed and I remain optimistic.

Best of luck to you.

Thanks and I just finished the orientation and BI pre-screen tonight. :)

For those interested they informed us that they have only hired 11 people this year and that several academies were and are going to be cancelled. So, slim to no chance at SDSO at this stage but we'll see where it goes for me.